Acas

Industrial disputes are becoming more polarised and those involved are increasingly unsure how to resolve the issue, according to new research.

The research comes from the Acas workplace relations organisation, which offers collective conciliation in industrial disputes.

It suggests that decreasing negotiation skills, lack of experience of handling collective conflict, increasingly polarised starting positions and challenging economic and political factors have all contributed to an increase in parties seeking the organisation’s help.

Acas was involved in 618 collective disputes between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.